General News

Michael Sheen glad he dodged soccer career

By:
WENN.com

Jun 05, 2014 | 7:27am EDT

British actor Michael Sheen is glad his father steered him away from a soccer career because he would have retired already. The character actor has been nominated for a Golden Globe, an Emmy, and three British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) TV awards for his various acclaimed roles.
As a young boy, he was spotted on the soccer field by talent scouts but his dad curtailed his sporting dreams - and the 45 year old is delighted because he would have enjoyed only a short time at the top before age forced him into retirement.
Sheen tells U.K. talk show host Graham Norton, "We were on holiday at Pontins (holiday camp) and (former England soccer star) Tony Adams' dad was there too and spotted me, but my dad said, 'No.' That sounds cruel and I was crestfallen, but it would have meant me living in London aged 12 and my career would have been over years ago."
Sheen brought his love of soccer to the big screen by playing beloved player-turned-manager Brian Clough in 2009 movie The Damned United.